A Montana Rail link ballast train is slowly filled at the loader at Spire Rock, Montana, on September 14, 2010. The railroad uses the former Butte main line now called the Spire Rock Industrial Tr... (more)

"Ballast with the Flick of a Switch"

On the afternoon of July 29th, 2023, MoW workers drop ballast from a solar powered, switch-operated hopper on the freshly realigned curv... (more)

Freshly painted "Bold Lime" ballast hoppers look right out of the box. Amtrak Freight

Minneapolis & St. Louis No. 70579 was built in June of 1937 as a two-bay covered hopper “serving the cement industry.” Even though it had its roof removed in later years when converted to a ba... (more)

When Utah Transit Authority was building its new tracks between Salt Lake City and Ogden adjacent to Int.15 most of the way, it painted its ballast cars with its new FrontRunner red, white and blu... (more)

This ballast car proclaims to be 48 years old (or 58 years old, depending on which you believe). Including its Atlantic Coast Line Heritage, much of its history is visible, both literally and imp... (more)

Brakeman, Randy, shows off his car riding experience as he directs A746 to spot cars in an unusually full Opelika yard.